Football Shoulder Pads

ABSTRACT

Football shoulder pads having non-elastic underarm straps for securing the front panels to the back panels, each underarm strap being affixed on the interior side of the front panels using low profile securing members, passing through a ring member on the back panel, and then brought forward and secured to itself using a hook-and-loop fastening system.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/772,157, filed Mar. 4, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of protective shoulder pads, such as for example shoulder pads worn in football or other athletic activities, and more particularly relates to an improved underarm strapping system for such shoulder pads.

Protective shoulder pads for use in football and other athletic activities involving contact between players are well known. Modern shoulder pads typically comprise a relatively rigid and durable plastic shell assembly comprising right and left shell members in combination with cupped shoulder plates, and a cushioning system composed of multiple padded bodies positioned between the wearer and various components of the shell assembly. The right and left shell members each typically comprise a generally U-shaped shell member having a front panel and back panel with a bridging portion connecting the two panels, and are adapted to extend from the front torso or breast area, across the shoulder and down the back torso over the shoulder blades. The right and left shell members are joined laterally across the front and back of the wearer by lateral joining members such as for example laces, flexible panels or the like, the combination thereby defining a head and neck opening.

In addition, on each of the left and right shell members, the lower portions of the front and back panels are joined under the arms by releasable straps, webbing or similar members in a manner that allows the user to tighten and secure the shoulder pads to the body. The known shoulder pads utilize elastic or non-elastic underarm straps, which are typically affixed to the front panels using buckles, rings or similar structural members of various design mounted on the exterior of the front panel. In modern football, and especially for certain positions, the trend is to provide the athletes with relatively tight or form-fitting jerseys, some fabrics even having some elastic properties, in order to minimize the ability of opposing players to grasp the jersey to slow or control the other player. The presence of buckles, rings or other structural members extending from the front panel presents two problems—the first being that the buckles, rings, etc. provide a protruding body or “handhold” that opposing players can push against to control the wearer during blocking in a manner similar to grasping the jersey of the opposing player, and the second being that the protruding body or handhold typically results in tearing of the tight jerseys after only one game, thereby dramatically shortening their useful life and increasing equipment costs.

It is an object of this invention to provide football or similar athletic shoulder pads with an improved underarm strapping system wherein the front and back panels are joined in an adjustable manner, and wherein the underarm straps are secured to the interior of the front panels by strap securing members possessing a low exterior profile, i.e., without relatively large buckles, rings or other securing devices that extend outwardly from the front panel, such that a relatively flat surface having no physical construct or body of adequate dimension is presented on the front panels to preclude an opposing player from gaining purchase against the wearer, and further such that the life of the jerseys are extended.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general the embodiments of the invention are football (or other sport) shoulder pads comprising an assembly of laterally connected right and left plastic shell members, each shell member comprising a front panel and a back panel, and a cushioning system comprising a plurality of padded bodies, the cushioning system being positioned internally to the plastic shell members. The lower portion of each front panel is joined to the lower portion of its corresponding rear panel on each side of the wearer's torso by a releasable, adjustable underarm strapping assembly comprising a non-elastic flat belt or strap member permanently secured to the interior side of the front panel using low profile securing members, preferably rivets. The strap member extends to the rear and passes through a rectangular or D-ring or loop member mounted to the interior of the rear panel with low profile securing members, preferably rivets. In this manner the rivets present no relatively large physical body on the exterior of the front and back panels, such that opposing players are not presented within any handhold or construct on which to gain purchase or leverage, and such that the jerseys are not subject to excessive wear and tear from the mechanical fasteners. Other mechanical mechanisms, as well as bonding or stitching, may also be utilized for the strap securing members provided that the strap securing members possess a low external profile such that they do not extend outwardly from the front and back panels to any great degree. The free end portion of the strap member is brought forward to tighten and secure the shoulder plays on the player. The strap member is provided with a hook-and-loop fastening system, such as sold under the brand VELCRO®, one member of the hook-and-loop fastening system being attached to the exterior of the portion of the strap member extending from the fixed end of the strap member toward to the mid-portion of the strap and the other member of the hook-and-loop fastening system being attached to the same side of the strap member from the mid-portion toward the free end portion. Thus, to tighten and secure the shoulder pads on the wearer, the free end portion of the strap member is pulled forward through the rear panel ring member to draw the front and rear panels together on the body and the free end portion of the strap member is affixed to the fixed portion of the strap member by the hook-and-loop fastening system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is front view of an embodiment of the shoulder pads showing the laterally joined front panels and non-secured strap members.

FIG. 2 is a view of a portion of a back panel showing the ring member attached to the interior side of the back panel using low profile fasteners and the strap member passing through the loop member.

FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of a front panel showing the strap member attached to interior side of the front panel using low profile fasteners and the free end of the strap member secured to the fixed end of the strap member.

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the interior of a strap member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in the drawings, an embodiment of the invention comprises a football (or other sport) shoulder pad 10 comprising an assembly of laterally connected right and left plastic shell members 11/12, each shell member 11/12 comprising a front panel 13 and a back panel 14, and a cushioning system comprising a plurality of padded bodies or members 16, the cushioning system being positioned internally to the plastic shell members 11/12. The plastic shell members 11/12 are thin in cross-section, having an interior side and an exterior side, and are formed of a relatively hard, rigid and durable plastic. The shell members 11/12 are each formed as a unitary, generally U-shaped member that extends across one shoulder of the wearer. The front panels 13 are connected to each other and the back panels 14 are connected to each other by flexible lateral joining members 15 in known manner. Plastic shoulder cups or plates 17 are secured to the upper bridging portion of each shell member 11/12 in known manner.

The lower portion of each front panel 13 is joined to the lower portion of its corresponding rear panel 14, i.e., left front panel 13 to left rear panel 14 and right front panel 13 to right rear panel 14, by an adjustable underarm strapping assembly comprising a non-elastic flat belt or strap member 20 comprising a fixed end 21 permanently affixed to the interior side of the front panel 13, between the front panel 13 and its corresponding pad member 16, using low profile securing members or fasteners 30, preferably rivets. The term “low profile” as used herein defines a fastener mechanism that projects only a small amount above the exterior surface of the panel 13/14 to which it is affixed, such as preferably less than one quarter inch, and which preferably has a smooth, low-friction surface with a rounded or flat configuration having no significant protrusions, corners, extensions, etc. The strap member 20 is preferably composed of a highly flexible Biothane material which is highly resistant to tear and does not absorb bacteria. The strap member 20 extends to the rear of the shoulder pads 10, i.e., is adapted to extend around either the left or right side of the wearer's torso, and the free end 22 of the strap member 20 passes through a rectangular ring or loop member 31 mounted to the interior of the rear panel 14, between the back panel 14 and its corresponding pad member 16, with low profile fasteners 30 such as rivets, preferably utilizing a ring member strap 32. In this manner the fasteners 30 present no relatively large physical construct or handhold on the exterior of the front and back panels 13/14 that can be used advantageously by opposing players or which will more readily damage the wearer's jersey. Other fastening mechanisms such as bonding or stitching may also be utilized to attach the strap members 20 provided that the strap fastener members 30 possess a low external profile and do not extend outwardly from the front and back panels 13/14 to any great degree. The free end 22 of the strap member is able to be brought forward to tighten the shell members 11/12 on the wearer's body.

The strap member 20 is provided with a hook-and-loop fastening system, such as sold under the brand VELCRO®, a first component 23 of the hook-and-loop fastening system (either the hook or the loop component) being attached along the exterior of the portion of the strap member 20 extending from the fixed end 21 toward the rear panel ring member 31, i.e., the first half of the strap 20 adjacent the fixed end 21 and up to the midpoint, and the second component 24 of the hook-and-loop fastening system being attached along the same side of the strap member 20 between the rear panel ring member 31 and the free end portion, i.e., the second half of the strap 20 adjacent the free end 22. In this manner the strap member 20 can be secured to itself by folding the strap member 20 such that the first and second components 23/24 of the hook-and-loop fastening system are brought together. It is preferable that the hook-and-loop fastening system comprise a component having low profile, double hook members, as this design provides superior retention and longevity. Preferably the strap member 20 is also provided with a cushioning or padding layer 25 on the interior side opposite to the hook-and-loop fastening system for added comfort and protection to the wearer, the cushioning layer 25 preferably comprising a neoprene material.

For optimum effectiveness of the multiple purposes for this shoulder pad design, in addition to the low profile fasteners 30 used to secure the strap members 20, all fasteners used to connect the various components of shoulder pad assembly which are disposed on the exterior surfaces of the shell members 11/12, the shoulder plates 17 or any other exposed component are low profile fasters 30 as well, i.e., no buckles, inserts, latches, etc. are present on the shoulder pad assembly 10. In this manner, no protuberances, extensions, corners, etc. are present which may result in tearing of the jersey or providing purchase handholds for opposing players.

To tighten and secure the shoulder pad 10 on the wearer, the wearer places the shoulder pads 10 onto the shoulders with the head and neck extending between the left and right shell members 11/12 and the arms extending outwardly between the back and front panels 14/13. The free end 22 portion of each strap member 20 is grasped by the wearer and pulled through the rear panel ring member 31 toward the front to draw the front and back panels 13/14 of each shell member 11/12 together. The second half free end portion of the strap member 20 is then affixed to the first half fixed portion of the strap member 20 by the hook-and-loop fastening system such that the rear and front panels 13/14 remain connected by the strap member 20 until the hook-and-loop fastening system is released.

It is contemplated that equivalents and substitutions for certain elements set forth above may be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and therefore the true scope and definition of the invention is to be as set forth in the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A football shoulder pad comprising: a left shell member and a right shell member, each comprising a front panel and a back panel, a left side releasable, non-elastic strap member connecting said front panel and said back panel of said left shell member, and a right side releasable, non-elastic strap member connecting said front panel and said back panel of said right shell member; said left side strap member having a free end and a fixed end joined to the interior side of said left side front panel with a low profile fastener, and said right side strap member having a free end and a fixed end joined to the interior side of said right side front panel with a low profile fastener; a left side ring member joined to the interior side of said back panel of said left shell member with a low profile fastener and sized to receive said left side strap member therethrough, and a right side ring member joined to the interior side of said back panel of said right shell member with a low profile fastener and sized to receive said right side strap member therethrough, each said strap member comprising a hook-and-loop type fastening system comprising a first and second component, wherein said first component and said second component are affixed to the same side of said strap member, whereby with said strap members inserted through said ring members and with said free ends of said strap members brought toward said fixed ends of said strap members so as to bring said front panels and said back panels towards each other, said first and second components are brought into contact to secure said strap members.
 2. The pad of claim 1, wherein said low profile fasteners comprise rivets.
 3. The pad of claim 1, wherein said ring members are joined to said back panels by ring member straps.
 4. The pad of claim 1, further comprising a neoprene layer affixed to said strap members opposite said first and second components.
 5. The pad of claim 1, wherein all fasteners incorporated in said football shoulder pads are low profile fasteners.
 6. A football shoulder pad comprising: a left shell member and a right shell member, each comprising a front panel and a back panel, said front panels and said back panels having interior sides and exterior sides; pad members disposed on said interior sides of said front panels and said back panels; a left side releasable, non-elastic strap member connecting said front panel and said back panel of said left shell member, and a right side releasable, non-elastic strap member connecting said front panel and said back panel of said right shell member; said left side strap member having a free end and a fixed end joined to said interior side of said left side front panel with a low profile fastener such that said left side fixed end is positioned between said left side front panel and one of said pad members, and said right side strap member having a free end and a fixed end joined to said interior side of said right side front panel with a low profile fastener such that said right side fixed end is positioned between said right side front panel and one of said pad members; a left side ring member retained by a left side ring member strap joined to said interior side of said back panel of said left shell member with a low profile fastener such that said left side ring member strap is positioned between said left side front panel and one of said pad members, said left side ring member sized to receive said left side strap member therethrough, and a right side ring member retained by a right side ring member strap joined to said interior side of said back panel of said right shell member with a low profile fastener such that said right side ring member strap is positioned between said right side front panel and one of said pad members, said right side ring member sized to receive said right side strap member therethrough, each said strap member comprising a hook-and-loop type fastening system comprising a first and second component, wherein said first component and said second component are affixed to the same side of said strap member, whereby with said strap members inserted through said ring members and with said free ends of said strap members brought toward said fixed ends of said strap members so as to bring said front panels and said back panels towards each other, said first and second components are brought into contact to secure said strap members.
 7. The pad of claim 6, wherein said low profile fasteners comprise rivets.
 8. The pad of claim 6, further comprising a neoprene layer affixed to said strap members opposite from said first and second components.
 9. The pad of claim 6, wherein all fasteners incorporated in said football shoulder pads are low profile fasteners.
 10. A football shoulder pad comprising: a left shell member and a right shell member, each comprising a front panel joined to a back panel, said front panels and said back panels having interior sides and exterior sides; pad members disposed on said interior sides of said front panels and said back panels; a left side releasable, non-elastic strap member connecting said front panel and said back panel of said left shell member, and a right side releasable, non-elastic strap member connecting said front panel and said back panel of said right shell member; said left side strap member having a free end and a fixed end joined to said interior side of said left side front panel with a low profile fastener such that said left side fixed end is positioned between said left side front panel and one of said pad members, and said right side strap member having a free end and a fixed end joined to said interior side of said right side front panel with a low profile fastener such that said right side fixed end is positioned between said right side front panel and one of said pad members; a left side ring member retained by a left side ring member strap joined to said interior side of said back panel of said left shell member with a low profile fastener such that said left side ring member strap is positioned between said left side front panel and one of said pad members, said left side ring member sized to receive said left side strap member therethrough, and a right side ring member retained by a right side ring member strap joined to said interior side of said back panel of said right shell member with a low profile fastener such that said right side ring member strap is positioned between said right side front panel and one of said pad members, said right side ring member sized to receive said right side strap member therethrough, each said strap member comprising a hook-and-loop type fastening system comprising a first and second component, wherein said first component and said second component are affixed to the same side of said strap member, said first component being affixed adjacent said fixed ends of said strap members and said second component being affixed adjacent said free ends of said strap members, whereby with said strap members inserted through said ring members and with said free ends of said strap members brought toward said fixed ends of said strap members so as to bring said front panels and said back panels towards each other, said first and second components are brought into contact to secure said strap members.
 11. The pad of claim 10, wherein said low profile fasteners comprise rivets.
 12. The pad of claim 10, further comprising a neoprene layer affixed to said strap members opposite from said first and second components.
 13. The pad of claim 6, wherein all fasteners incorporated in said football shoulder pads are low profile fasteners. 